ICHPSD-2015 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION (ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS) G.P. Patel Managing Director UJVN Limited [email protected] Sandeep Singhal Director (Projects) UJVN Limited [email protected] ABSTRACT In the present scenario Hydropower projects are the cheapest and cleanest source of energy. The implementation of projects involves various activities related to rehabilitation, resettlement of project affected people and environmental concerns. Severe floods in Uttarakhand in the years 2012 and 2013 further goaded people to think about the correct measures for environmental and social aspects related to implementation of Hydropower projects. Key words: 1. Hydropower, Rehabilitation, Resettlement INTRODUCTION Hydro power has an important role to play in meeting long term sustainable development goals. During implementation of the hydropower project it should be ensured that the projects are sustainably developed which implies minimal adverse social and environmental impacts. Provisions to benefit all people who live in the basin in terms of the social, environment and economic performance of projects is covered in this paper. The challenge is to maintain a viable, profitable and renewable source of energy supporting the region’s economic development. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS 2.1 Effects due to construction of Hydropower projects Construction of projects certainly impacts the environment, it cannot be ruled out completely. The extent of environmental impact and recovery thereafter is manageable with proper environment management planning and its implementation during and after construction of projects. Major effects on environment due to construction of projects includes Resettlement causing social inequities, Blocking fish migration leading to decreased catches, Construction affecting water quantity and quality, Reservoir and riverbank soil erosion causing impairment to water quality, Effects on groundwater hydrology, Downstream flow variations disturbing fisheries and Downstream water quality impaired (e.g., reservoir biomass). 418 International Conference on Hydropower for Sustainable Development Feb 05-07, 2015, Dehradun 2.2 Plans to mitigate issues related to environment To overcome the ill effects of construction the developers are seriously taking into consideration the effective mitigation measures. Presently adopted and proposed measures are summarized below: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment studies are being carried in all river basins in Uttarakhand by reputed institution such as ICFRE, IIT Roorkee & their domain expert partners to evaluate the damages due to construction and operation of Hydropower projects. Minimum Environmental Flow is essentially considered by MoEF before giving clearance to HEP’s. Newly proposed projects consider a distance of approx. 1 km as free riverine stretch between two projects to facilitate preservation of biodiversity. Landslides due to heavy rains, cloud bursts results in heavy deposition of debris into the river, as a result river bed level rises. To avoid flooding of nearby land in future due to floods of similar intensity, debris from river bed should be removed at least upto previous river bed level. Projects proposed in adjacent should be constructed in staggered manner to minimize ill effects of construction. Environment Management Plans having CAT Plan, Quarry & Dumping sites restoration, reservoir river treatment, Fish management plan etc. shall be executed by developer and monitored by third party. Studies have revealed that Tehri reservoir has very good quality & quantity of Mahasheer which are fed from fish hatcheries. By implementation of above mentioned measures there will be environmental up gradation and it also helps in flood control. Loss of forest cover is hardly 0.5% whereas total forest cover in Uttarkhand is approx 65%. 2.3 Case studies of post commissioning impact of hydropower projects Some studies of the post commissioning impact on environment have been carried out for the Tehri dam by ICFRE, Dehradun, IIFM, Bhopal, Botanical Survey of India and HNB Garhwal University and studies on Rangit project (Sikkim) and Uri project (J&K) of NHPC. Which show positive impacts of effective implementation of the environment management plan. The gist of the findings is as below: Tehri Dam (i) (ii) CAT activates works have improved the tangible benefits in the form of Environmental up gradation, carbon sink, soil moisture conservation and noise control. The pre and post impoundment scenario of fish diversity shows that the Schizothoraxspp has increased from 57.9% to 58.1%. The 419 ICHPSD-2015 (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) Schizothoraichthysprogastus has increased from 6.3% to 8.5% of the total fish composition. Mahseer production has also shown an increase from 9.1% to 12.8%. However, a considerable reduction in contribution of Garra spp., Crossocheliusspp., Barilliusspp., Noemachelius spp., Glyptothorexand Pseudechenesis spp. To the total fish composition has been recorded as these used to thrive well in hillstreams of swift and shallow water. There is no tangible adverse impact of impoundment of Bhagirathi and Bhailangana rivers on amphibian diversity. Abundance of reptiles has increased around the periphery of the Reservoir. Composition and diversity of mammals has also shown an increase in the post impoundment scenario. There has been an increase in annual mean density (ind. 1-1) of Zooplankton caused by impoundment, while the annual mean density of macrozoobenthos showed a considerable reduction. As important aquatic animal, which was disturbed by Tehri dam construction was common Otter (Lutralutra). It was commonly present in pre impoundment habitats. New habitats like Botanical Garden and new plantations in the area have also attracted the birds and the population of the species, dwelling in the Botanical Garden, open parks, and new plantations has increased considerably. It has been concluded that the moisture regime of the dam is exerting positive effect and the area is progressively becoming green. Rangit and Uri projects of NHPC The National Hydropower Corporation (NHPC) has also carried out some post commissioning studies on their run of the river HPs in Rangit (Sikkim) and Uri Hydroelectric Project in Jammu and Kashmir. The Environment Management plans carried out in these projects show that there has been considerable improvement in the environment in the areas related with soil conservation, forest cover and socioeconomic development of the community in terms of standard of living and education. Maneri Bhali I and II projects of UJVN Limited These projects present a carefully throughout scheme for muck disposal. About 5.16 lac cumecs of muck was disposal off at carefully selected sites and terracing and leveling was done. The vegetation grown over these has stabilized the areas and they have withstood the floods. One of these areas is now being used as the police line. 420 International Conference on Hydropower for Sustainable Development Feb 05-07, 2015, Dehradun 3. Social aspects 3.1 Rehabilitation & resettlement of people from project area Rehabilitation and resettlement of people involve dealing with financial and emotional attachment of people with the place and environment. Major issues involved in social aspects can be categorized as below: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) Land, House compensation, Compensation of other structure, Displaced shopkeeper, Each affected below poverty line family which is without homestead land, Rural artisan/Small traders and self employed PAFs, R&R Benefits for PAF’s belonging to ST & SC, Tenants, Employment and other Miscellaneous issues 3.2 Measures adopted for minimizing grief of people due to construction of Projects 3.2.1 Local Area Development Fund Government of Uttarakhand is working on a policy to provide direct benefits people living near project sites. The draft has been submitted by UJVNL and finalization of policy is in process. Gist of draft LADF policy is as below: 3.2.1.1 Composition of LADF (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Money received from revenue of 12% free energy to State Government as matching share from State Govt. 1% of the total cost of Hydropower projects will be deposited by the developer in different phases before and during construction of project to Local Area Development Fund. Developer will deposit the money received as revenue of 1% of total electricity generated to this fund which is termed as additional free electricity. Money will be deposited on yearly basis. The total money received from developer and bank interest will be used for development of the project affected area in the chairmanship of District Megistrate. Money received by State Govt. as matching share will be allotted for development of local area in the following manner: 421 ICHPSD-2015 Table 1: S.No. 1 Project Affected Area (PAA) Type of Hydropower project Guidelines for allotment of LADF Project Affected Zone (PAZ) Project Affected Panchayat Project Affected Block Project Affected District 60 % 20 % 10 % 10 % 50 % 20 % 15 % 15 % 2 Upto 25-100 MW capacity Above 100 MW capacity 3.2.2 Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy This policy has been framed on the basis of G.O. of Power Corporation limited of Himanchal Govt. for R&R, National R&R policy 2007 and National Hydro policy 2008. Those who are not covered under this G.O. shall be governed by NPRR 2007 policy. A brief summary of this policy is presented in tabular form as table 2 below: Table 2: S. No 1 Description Land 2 House compensation 3 Compensation other structure Entitlement Subject to availability of Govt. land nearby project area, upto acquired agriculture/non agriculture land shall be given on priority to landless (70% acquisition) followed by marginal families. ii. Rs2.0Lakhs per HA for development of degraded land. OR Monetary compensation as assessed by SLAO under LAA1894 plus Ex-gratia amount equal to 1.5times the circle rate. Minimum land compensation of Rs10Lakhs to landless/ marginal farmers and Rs5Lakhs to those whose50% land acquired/ small farmers. II. Reimbursement of registration cost & subsistence allowance @25x12 MAW i. Replacement cost shall be paid as per the latest common schedule of rates of PWD ii. Subsistence allowance @25x12 MAW and 12month rent @2500/- per month. i. As per valuation done by PWD subjected to Minimum of Rs15,000/- per structure i. of 422 International Conference on Hydropower for Sustainable Development Feb 05-07, 2015, Dehradun S. No Description 4 Displaced shopkeeper 5 Each affected below poverty line family which is without homestead land 6 Rural artisan/Small traders and self employed PAFs R&R Benefits for PAF’s belonging to ST & SC. 7 8 Tenants 9 Employment 10 Miscellaneous Entitlement ii. Rs10,000/- to Rs25,000/- on acquisition of cattle shed plus Rs20,000/- lumsum for construction of cattle shed. 1. Allotment of shop upto 25sqm area in the market complex of the project. OR Rs2.0Lakhs as one time financial assistance 2. Rs20,000/- lumsum displacement grant 3. 750days MAW for loss of livelihood Constructed House of minimum of 100sqm plinth area in rural or minimum of 50sqm in urban area in multistoried complex. OR Rs4.0Lakhs in lieu thereof. 1. Rs50,000/- per family towards seed capital 2. Rs50,000/- per family as financial assistance for construction of working shed. i. Assistance of 500 days MAW for loss of customary rights or usage of forest produce ii. Preference in allotment of land if any land is available for allotment to PAF’s. iii. The resettlement area prominently inhabited by ST’s shall get 1000 Sqm. Land free of cost if available in nearby project area or Rs2.5Lakhs lumsum for community and religious gatherings iv. The ST’s families resettled out of the district will get 25% higher resettlement grant. i. Rehabilitation grants Rs Ten thousand. ii. Assistance of 750 days minimum agriculture wages (MAW) as loss of livelihood. i. Preference in the employment in class III post in workman category subject to availability of vacancy and suitability of affected person to those rendered landless. OR 1000days MAW one time rehabilitation grant ii. Preference to the willing PAF for engaging labour in the project during construction phase. i. 750days MAW to PAF’s reduced to small farmer after acquisition and 500days MAW to other PAF’s ii. Life Pension of Rs1000/-per month to the vulnerable persons eg widows, destitute, orphans, disabled etc iii. Non litigation allowance equal to 10% of compensation against land/property acquired. 423 ICHPSD-2015 S. No Description Entitlement Third party insurance against damage to any house in project vicinity during construction period. v. Infrastructure facilities such as water supply, sewage, drainage, electricity, streets, community centre, green area, park and approach paths/ roads at the project cost. vi. 100units of free electricity per month for a period of 10years from the date of commissioning of project for each PAF. vii. Project medical facilities shall be provided free of cost to PAFs. viii. Transportation allowance Rs20,000/- lumsum. ix. LADF for development of infrastructure. iv. 4. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) EMP is prepared to ensure that the impacts of the projects remain within acceptable limits. The components of EMP suggested for implementation are monitoring, auditing and Institutional arrangements. Major findings of the study for Cumulative Impact Assessment of Hydropower projects on Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers including tributaries conducted by AHEC, IIT Roorkee are as below: 4.1 Environment and Biodiversity aspects Water quality Geology Aquatic Biodiversity − − − Terrestrial Biodiversity Hydrological studies − − 4.2 no impact Insignificant and no effect on glaciers transformation is possible but facilitation of migration for fish can minimize the adverse effects Trivial and well below threshold level marginal impact on sediment contribution, impact of construction of tunnel may be insignificant or temporary. Socio Economic Aspects Mixed response of people living in affected areas is recorded. Overall response is that there is improvement in living standards of people; people get benefits such as jobs and other indirect economic benefits. 424 International Conference on Hydropower for Sustainable Development Feb 05-07, 2015, Dehradun 5. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION All social and environment costs are passed through tariff. i.e. Developer has no intention of avoiding them. Loss of employment opportunities will cause migration of local population and risk on national security. Efforts of Governments are to bring developer and project affected people together and to adopt procedures which are environmental friendly. These policies and procedures were not adopted in the past which led to a misleading opinion about Hydropower projects. The future of people is associated with development of country, proper planning and implementation of above mentioned measures will give impetus to role of hydropower projects in sustainable development of the country. 6. REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. Draft LADF policy of Uttarakhand Government. R & R Policy of Uttarakhand Government. CIA report of AHEC, IIT Roorkee on Alaknanda & Bhagirathi rivers including tributaries. 425